Thoughts about being a part of the first cohort

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I'm just curious if any of you have been a part of the first nursing cohort of a school/university. What advantages and problems did you run into while you were in your schooling?

Also, please specify if the program already existed but you were in a new program or even a new location/satellite school?

Are there any questions you feel are important to ask before accepting?

I am looking into a program that already exists, but they are opening another location. The curriculum is said to be "mirrored," but, to me, that seems very vague. I am very impressed with the original school's program, so I would like to hear what you all have to say! Thanks.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

If they already have it up and running and that ones running smoothly, what's the issue?

Most likely, they will just recreate the existing program. There's no reason to reinvent the wheel.

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@MrChicagoRN Well, I'm wondering how easy it is to recreate an existing program...I'm most concerned about what teachers will be teaching, facilities we will be learning in, etc. For example they boast a state-of-the-art simulation lab in the one location. Would the other location have something similar? I guess these are questions I should ask them, but they're not getting back to me, so here I am asking the general public. haha...

Anyway, thanks for the reply.

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Also, I should mention these locations are a 7-8 hour drive away from each other...so clinicals will be different as well. Hospital relationships, community partnerships, etc.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

This is a different scenario, but our school went from a 3 year BSN to a 2.5 year to a 2 year in a short time. I was in the second class that was 2 years. The class above us had a lot of headaches as a lot of kinks were being worked out. Some of them had been smoothed out by the time we started, but there were still plenty remaining.

That said, so far those of us who have tested have all passed the NCLEX.

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thank @runbabyRN for the insight. I guess that is the ultimate goal--being prepared at the end.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Given the shortage of qualified faculty, I think the biggest concern would be the quality of faculty in any 'start up'. As PP pointed out, there are a lot of kinks to work out with any new endeavor, especially one as complex as a nursing program. But having to deal with inexperienced faculty also.... YIKES!!

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thanks for your input! @houtx

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